Surprisingly, it was a rather uneventful week.
Sure, Tottenville lost its first game in two years, but the defeat to Syracuse’s Bishop Ludden has no bearing on our rankings at all. The Pirates remain No. 2, where they have been all year.
In the CHSAA, Christ the King just keeps climbing after wins against St. Francis Prep and Mary Louis. The Royals are at No. 8 now. Things will get interesting this week with a plethora of good CHSAA games.
Here’s how the rankings break down:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (6-0) (Last week: 1)
There are plenty of games left to be played, but it is clear who the city’s best team is right now. The Vikings have beaten four of the top 10 teams in the ranking including a 10-2, run-rule win over Archbishop Molloy, likely its chief competition in the CHSAA. Coach Mike Ponsiglione was quick to remind his team that those wins mean nothing come June.
Next: St. Peter’s (April 28, 4 p.m.)
2. Tottenville (9-0) (2)
Before Saturday, Tottenville had not lost a game since St. John Villa beat the Pirates back in 2008. Bishop Ludden of Syracuse was the team this time around in a non-league encounter. In the grand scheme of things, the loss probably won’t make a difference, especially considering ace Nicole Palase did not pitch.
Next: No. 6 Susan Wagner (April 26, 4 p.m.)
3. James Madison (7-1) (3)
Could Madison be hurt by lack of challenges in league play? The Knights are thoroughly dominating division opponents. The only team they have lost to this season is Tottenville in a crossover league game.
Next: New Utrecht (April 29, 4 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (7-0) (4)
It was quite a weekend for the Stanners. First they needed a bloop single in the eighth inning to avoid losing to rival St. Francis Prep after blowing a three-run lead. Then they turned in their worse defensive performance of the season in a five-inning, 10-2 loss to St. Joseph by the Sea. Molloy will need to tighten up quickly with games against Mary Louis and Christ the King this week.
Next: @ Mary Louis (April 27, 3:45 p.m.)
5. Poly Prep (7-0) (5)
One can make a strong case that Victoria Capozucca is the best pitcher in New York City. She struck out 20 in a 1-0, eight-inning win against Horace Mann on Saturday. The Blue Devils are going to try and ride her to a fifth straight NYSAISAA title.
Next: @ Riverdale (April 28, 4:15 p.m.)
6. Susan Wagner (8-1) (6)
Falcons sophomore Taylor Sarcone has had at least two RBIs in the last four games. Her emergence and the lineup around her have made Wagner one of the best offensive teams in the PSAL. Now if they can just stop the rain. After having a game against Port Richmond last week shortened, Monday’s game against Tottenville is in doubt due to weather.
Next: No. 2 Tottenville (April 26, 4 p.m.)
7. Moore Catholic (6-1) (7)
The Mavericks bats came alive in two big innings against St. Joseph Hill. They scored five in the third and six in the fifth thanks to a 3-for-3 day and a home run and four RBIs from Danielle Doscher. Moore most hope its hot hitting continues because it gets a rematch with rival St. Joseph by the Seas on Sunday. The Vikings won the first meeting 10-0 in five innings.
Next: @ St. Peter’s (April 26, 4 p.m.)
8. Christ the King (4-2) (10)
There have been plenty of opportunities for the Royals to revert to their ways from a year ago, probably an inning per game. So for those, CK and star pitcher Olivia Auman has been superb. The senior helped lead her team to its first victory over St. Francis Prep for in nine years last week. She didn’t give up a run in the circle in the 6-0 win and went 4-for-4 with three RBIs.
Next: No. 10 St. Francis Prep (April 27, 3:45 p.m.)
9. Port Richmond (7-1) (9)
The Red Raiders had been cruising along nicely until last week. But Wednesday they were trailing 4-3 in the fifth inning when their game against Susan Wagner was called for rain. And Port Richmond didn’t reach base at all against Tottenville ace Nicole Palase in a 15-0 rout Friday. All of that doesn’t mean PR hasn’t been one of the city’s best teams this season.
Next: McKee/Staten Island Tech (April 26, 4 p.m. @ West Shore LL)
10. St. Francis Prep (6-3) (8)
Briana Franceschini gave St. Francis Prep a chance for its first win over Archbishop Molloy with a three-run, seventh-inning home run and SFP took a lead in the eighth, but fell 5-4. Couple that with a loss to Christ the King and the Terriers find themselves in third place, a rarity, in the Queens division. A rematch with the Royals is scheduled for Tuesday.
Next: @ No. 8 Christ the King (April 27, 3:45 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bayside (7-1), Construction (6-0), Mary Louis (4-5), St. Joseph Hill (3-5), Fontbonne Hall (3-3), Cardozo (6-2), Bishop Kearney (3-6) and Notre Dame Academy (3-2)